System and method for the protection and storage of small electronic components

ABSTRACT

A small case that can be injection-molded from liquid silicone rubber or a similar elastomer that protects earbuds or other components from damage and manages the wire to prevent tangling. The case has an integral pocket that holds most styles of earbuds or other items with several optional fingers that are flexible and compliant. The earbuds or other component can be inserted into the pocket and the fingers close over the earbuds or other items thereby protecting and/or retaining them. The wires can then be fed through one of the slots and wrapped around a spool. A reversible cover can then be flipped to a closed position to cover and retain the wire.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/657,480 filed Oct. 22,2012 which was related to and claimed priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 61/550,963 filed Oct. 25, 2012. Application Ser.Nos. 13/657,480 and 61/550,963 are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of protective casesand more particularly to a protective case for an earbud type earphone.

Description of the Prior Art

Earbuds are small earphones with cables that are typically used with MP3players, smartphones and the like. A single earbud typically is insertedinto a single ear with a pair of earbuds on a single cable providing acomplete set of earphones. A tremendous problem with earbuds is thatthey are not protected, and are hence easily damaged, and their wiresget tangled up when they are not being used.

It would be extremely advantageous to have a protective case for earbudsor other small components with wires or cables that would be soft andeasily carried; would quickly open to insert the earbuds or device;allow their easy removal; and that would also provide a way to store thewires or cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a small case that can beinjection-molded from liquid silicone rubber or an elastomer or otherpolymer that protects the earbuds from damage and manages the wire toprevent tangling. The case of the present invention has an integralpocket that holds most styles of earbuds or other small device with aspool and/or several retention fingers that can have various designs andshapes. The earbuds can be inserted into the pocket, and the fingersprevent the earbuds from coming out on their own. The wires can then befed through one of the slots and wrapped around a spool. The slots canbe of various widths to accommodate a variety of wire sizes. Theconnector end of the wire can be placed into the center pocket or aroundthe spool. The reversible cover can then be flipped to a closed positionto cover and retain the wire. To remove the earbuds, it is onlynecessary to pull on the connector end of the wire with the cover in theclosed position. The wire or cable will de-reel without tangles similarto a fishing reel. The device or earbuds can also optionally be pulledout directly with the cable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is now directed to several drawings that display features ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the earbudcase in a totally closed position.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a closed position directly fromthe front.

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 withthe reversible cover in the open position.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the configuration of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a different embodiment in a closed position.

FIG. 6A shows the case in an open position.

FIG. 6B shows the earbud cable wound on the spool.

FIG. 6C shows the case with earbud and cable totally closed for storage.

FIG. 6D shows how the cable can be unwound when it is desired to removethe earbud.

Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. The scope of the present inventionis not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to an earbud case that has a plurality offingers forming a pocket in which earbuds, cable ends, etc. can beinserted. A reversible cover can be flipped open to allow the earbudwires, cables, etc. to be wound around a spool member. The cover canthen be reversed to close around the wire. The case is not limited toearbuds and cables as it can be used to store jewelry, fishing apparatusor any other items having wires, chain, fishing line, etc. which have atendency to become tangled.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in a totally closedposition. The reversible cover 1 is closed around an inner spool member2. A set of rubber fingers 3 are connected to the top of a spool havingseveral slots 4. This particular arrangement causes the fingers 3 toprotect and assist in retaining any item that is placed inside thepocket. FIG. 2 shows a direct front view of the configuration of FIG. 1.The fingers 3 are arranged such that they can protect and help retain acaptured earbud or any other item that the user would like to store.

FIG. 3 shows the reversible cover 1 in the open position exposing thespool member 2 which is also the outer wall of the pocket. The fingers 3and slots 4 are shown in the closed position. FIG. 4 shows a rear viewof the configuration of FIG. 3. The reversed cover 1 can clearly be seenpeeled back beyond the bottom 6 of the pocket. The spool 2 and the edgesof the fingers 3 can be seen.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention withfingers that follow a curved contour. This is a design element. Thefingers can be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes but the purposeof protecting and retaining various items within the formed pocketremains the same.

FIGS. 6A-6D show the use of the device. To use the present invention,the user peels back the cover 1 to expose the spool 2. FIG. 6A shows thedevice in this configuration. The fingers create a pocket 5 in whichearbuds or other items can be inserted 5. The earbud wires or cables canbe wrapped around the spool 2 in either direction as shown in FIG. 6Band the cover 1 flipped back to the normal position where it closesaround the wires as shown in FIG. 6C. The earbud jack can either beplaced in one of the slots 4 or contained under the cover 1. To removethe earbuds, the user simply pulls on the jack to unwind the wire fromthe spool 2 (similar to a spinning reel used in fishing) as shown inFIG. 6D. The cover 1 can then be closed for storage. If the cablecontains an in-line microphone or other stiff member, that can be placedin the slots in the spool, or left outside the spool.

The device of the present invention can be supplied in a variety ofcolors and sizes as needed for earbuds and other similar devices. Thefeatures of the invention can be integrated into cases for otherelectronic devices that require earbuds or can be used to store otherdevices.

The preferred material is injection-molded liquid silicone rubber orother elastomer rubber, or flexible polymer. In general any rubbery orpliable material may be used. The device can be packaged convenientlyand sold as a unit ready to use.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been provided to aid inunderstanding the present invention. One with skill in the art willrealize that numerous changes and variations can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes andvariations are within the scope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pliable device for storing earbuds thathave a connection wire with a connection jack, the device comprising: aflexible cover made from a non-rigid flexible material adapted to covera non-rotating hollow spool, the spool member configured to spool theconnection wire on an outer surface by hand winding, the spool having ahollow interior to receive and stores earbuds in the hollow interior; aplurality of flat flexible fingers attached to a distal end of thespool, the fingers covering the hollow interior of the spool, thefingers yielding elastically to allow insertion and removal of earbudsinto and out of the hollow interior of the spool; the flexible coverbeing reversible, folding away from the spool exposing the outer surfaceof the spool in an open configuration, and folding back over the spoolin a closed configuration covering the outer surface of the spool; withthe flexible cover in the open configuration, the plurality of flatfingers being flexible and compliant allowing insertion of earbuds intothe hollow interior of the spool, and following said insertion, thefingers closing over the earbuds protecting the earbuds, wherein theconnection wire can then be wound around the outer surface of the spooland then retained and protected by folding the flexible cover to theclosed configuration; and wherein the connection wire can be unspooledby pulling it without opening the cover.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein the flexible cover peels back away from the spool to change fromthe closed configuration to the open configuration.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 adapted so that after the connection wire is wound around thespool member, the connection jack can also be contained within theflexible cover in the closed configuration.
 4. The device of claim 3adapted to de-reel the connection wire from the spool member in theclosed configuration when the connection wire, jack or earbud is pulled.5. The device of claim 2 adapted so that after the connection wire iswound around the spool member, the connection jack can also be containedwithin the cover in the closed configuration.
 6. The device of claim 5adapted to de-reel the connection wire from the spool member in theclosed configuration when the connection wire, jack or earbud is pulled.7. The device of claim 1 made as a single piece including the flexiblecover, the spool and the flat fingers.
 8. The device of claim 1 whereinthere are six flat flexible fingers.
 9. The device of claim 1 whereinthe cover and spool are made from silicon rubber or flexiblethermoplastic.